How do pain killers work?

• A. They treat symptoms but do not kill pathogens
• B. They cure infections
• C. They kill viruses
• D. They boost immune response

Answer: (B)

Pain relief targets how you feel, not the infection itself. Pain killers work by interrupting the signals that cause pain or by reducing fever and inflammation, so you experience less discomfort and often feel better overall. They don’t attack the germs causing the illness, so they don’t cure infections. They also don’t boost the immune system or directly kill viruses or bacteria. Because their purpose is symptom relief rather than eliminating the pathogen, the statement that best fits how they work is that they treat symptoms but do not kill pathogens. If the infection needs treatment, medicines that target the pathogen (like antibiotics or antivirals) or supportive care would be used instead.